Harford Family House thankful

Editor:

On Sept. 16 and 17, the third annual "Hope in Handbags" event, an auction and retail sale of more than 1,000 designer and gently used purses was sponsored by and held at the Bel Air Armory for the benefit of Harford Family House and Welcome One-Emergency Shelter. We are pleased to announce that this year's event raised more than $16,000 to be divided between the two charitable organizations.

On behalf of Harford Family House and Welcome One-Emergency Shelter, I would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for helping us make the Armory into an attractive setting for the sale of the handbags: Flowers By Design – flower arrangements for the auction tables; Debbie Adolph – flower arrangements for the stage; Freedom Federal – tables; Vandiver Inn – table cloths; Hess Hotels – table cloths; John Carroll School. – table toppers; Central Christian Church – use of movie screen and black curtains; The Tower Restaurant – balloons.

Thanks also to Jill Duran, Lois Kisinger Kelly, Carol Cheicante and Carol Mallon for extra table cloths and all who lent ficus trees and other decorations.